Free practice test

Locomotive Engineer Practice Test

Check what you know about the locomotive engineer job with 15 free questions and instant explanations.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
About this practice test

15 multiple-choice questions on locomotive engineer knowledge, safety and vocabulary. Submit to see your score and explanations, or open any question’s answer as you go. Nothing is saved or shared.

Question 1 of 15A consist is:
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Answer: The list of locomotives and cars. It describes the train makeup.

Question 2 of 15Dynamic braking uses:
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Answer: Traction motors. Traction motors act as generators.

Question 3 of 15PTC can:
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Answer: Stop trains to prevent certain accidents. Positive train control enforces limits.

Question 4 of 15Who controls train movements?
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Answer: The dispatcher. Dispatchers authorize movements.

Question 5 of 15Certification for engineers is regulated by:
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Answer: FRA. The Federal Railroad Administration.

Question 6 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Checking that brakes apply and release on every car.”
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Answer: Air brake test. Air brake test: Checking that brakes apply and release on every car.

Question 7 of 15What does “Slack” mean?
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Answer: Movement between cars caused by couplers.. Slack: Movement between cars caused by couplers.

Question 8 of 15Which term matches this definition: “An overheated wheel bearing.”
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Answer: Hot box. Hot box: An overheated wheel bearing.

Question 9 of 15What does “Hours of service” mean?
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Answer: Federal rules limiting train crew work time.. Hours of service: Federal rules limiting train crew work time.

Question 10 of 15Which term matches this definition: “General Code of Operating Rules used by many railroads.”
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Answer: GCOR. GCOR: General Code of Operating Rules used by many railroads.

Question 11 of 15What does “Event recorder” mean?
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Answer: A device that records train operation data.. Event recorder: A device that records train operation data.

Question 12 of 15Which term matches this definition: “What a signal displays to the engineer.”
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Answer: Signal aspect. Signal aspect: What a signal displays to the engineer.

Question 13 of 15What does “Tie down” mean?
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Answer: Securing a parked train with hand brakes.. Tie down: Securing a parked train with hand brakes.

Question 14 of 15Which term matches this definition: “The slope of track.”
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Answer: Grade. Grade: The slope of track.

Question 15 of 15What does “Consist” mean?
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Answer: The list of locomotives and cars in a train.. Consist: The list of locomotives and cars in a train.

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